Manchester United head into their Champions League play-off second leg against Club Brugge aiming for a spot in the group stage of Europe's elite competition after missing out last season.

Lous Van Gaal's side will take a 3-1 lead to the atmospheric Jan Breydel Stadion on Wednesday after Memphis Depay's brace and Marouane Fellaini's last-ditch third at Old Trafford last week but the Belgians have a crucial away goal.

A 2-0 win for Brugge would be enough to take them through at United's expense on the away goals rule, but United - three-time winners of the competition - will be in confident mood of making progress having made an unbeaten start to their Premier League campaign.

They were held to a frustrating goalless draw at home by Newcastle on Saturday, though, and eyes are sure to be on goal-shy striker Wayne Rooney. 

The England striker has failed to find the back of the net for United since a 3-1 win against Aston Villa in April - a barren run that spans 10 games and 858 minutes and his worst since 2007.

United didn't feature in the competition last season, but had previously reached the group stages for 18 years in succession and will not want to miss out this time around.

Van Gaal is expecting an uncomfortable night in Belgium and told the official Manchester United website: "It is a difficult ground, and it is not a simple opponent. I have read in the papers in England that it is simple and it is a walkover, but it isn't like that.

"Brugge against Panathinaikos, they won 3-0 [in the previous round]. It is still a game, but because of our third goal we now have more confidence."

Brugge, meanwhile, haven't made the group stages since the 2005/06 season when they finished third in Group A behind Juventus and Bayern Munich.

Michel Preud'homme's side head into the tie on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Zulte-Waregem on Saturday, a result that leaves them sixth in the Belgian Pro League with only seven points from five matches, but they are currently riding a 10-game unbeaten streak in Europe.

The former Belgium international goalkeeper believes his  side will need divine intervention to prevent United from claiming a spot in the group stage.

"Miracles happen sometimes, but they are two goals in front and they are a very professional team," Preud'homme said.

"To get a miracle, you need to be perfect and you need the other to not play at his best potential. We have a lot of players out, too.

"If we want to have a chance, we have to be perfect. It will be very difficult, but let's pray."

Team news

United have omitted goalkeeper David de Gea from their squad. Sergio Romero, who has started all of United's games so far this season, and Sam Johnstone are the two goalkeepers to feature in the squad.

Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger will be looking will retain his place in the starting XI after impressing for 60 minutes at the weekend.

Defenders Phil Jones (thrombosis) and Marcos Rojo (lacking match fitness) have been left at home, as have Jonny Evans, Tyler Blackett, Antonio Valencia, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira, James Wilson and Anders Lindegaard.

Brugge are likely to be without Timmy Simons following his injury at Old Trafford, while Brandon Mechele is definitely out through suspension after he picked up two yellow cards last Tuesday night.

Betting

Manchester United are Sky Bet's 10/11 favourites to see off Club Brugge (14/5) in Wednesday's Champions League play-off second leg and massive odds-on shots to book their place in Thursday's draw for the group stages. United lead 3-1 after the first leg at Old Trafford and are 11/4 to come out on top with both teams scoring. Memphis Depay, who scored a brace in the first match, is 5/1 to repeat the feat and 5/4 to net in 90 minutes against the Belgian outfit.